Ordination

 My ordination from First Baptist Church of Milligan, Florida. Note damage on certificate is from fire that destroyed church building on July 9, 2019.

License to Preach

 My License to Preach from Corry Baptist Church, Corry, PA May 21, 2003.

Update after 3 years!

I thought I would post an update. I graduated with my Bachelor of Theology degree from Andersonville Theological Seminary, graduating summa cum laude. Last year I was called as the pastor of First Baptist Church of Milligan, Florida, a small "town" just outside Crestview, Florida on the Florida panhandle. I am going to try and update this blog more often.

Bible Post #4 KJV Ryrie Study Bible Genuine Leather

Well, when my sister was moving a few years ago, she found my genuine leather Ryrie Study Bible. I know I've already done a review on the bonded leather one, but I thought I'd share some pictures of this one and note the differences.

The first Ryrie Study Bible I bought was in 1997. It was a burgundy bonded leather edition It was a good bible, but I used it alot and eventually as bonded leather is prone to do, it started falling apart. It was then that I bought this bible off of Walmart.com in 2005. When I opened it I was amazed at how nice the leather was. This was easily the best leather I had ever seen on a mass produced bible.

Well there isn't much more to say about this than I did on an earlier post except the leather is par excellence. I don't know if Moody has changed the leather they use since 2005. If you want to be safe, buy an older edition off of eBay. Below I'll post some more photos.

Andersonville Seminary

In June, I finally received my Associate of Biblical Studies degree from Andersonville Theological Seminary. I had done undergraduate work at Hyles-Anderson College and Revival Fires Baptist College, as well as a certificate 'Dimensions of The Faith' program through Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. I choose Andersonville for a couple of reasons. The school had a good reputation, was affordable and even though non accredited, undergrad degrees are regularly accepted for provisional acceptance at schools such as Liberty University and Luther Rice University and Seminary. Right now, I am trying to decide between continuing my education at Andersonville, or transferring to Luther Rice for a Bachelors. Having said that, if you are looking for an affordable degree program, that isn't a "degree mill"; I'd recommend Andersonville.

Presidential Places Part IV

In May (I think it was in June lol) I visited Cleveland, Ohio via Greyhound to go on a date (The less said about that the better!) and to knock President James Garfield off my list of Presidents.

When I got to Cleveland, I took the bus known as the "Healthline" to the Cleveland Clinic for my date. The bus system there was confusing compared to the Erie one, but once you got the hang of it, it was rather easy.

After my date, I took the bus to Lake View Cemetery where President Garfield is interred. I ended up walking what seemed to be forever,through the cemetery looking for President Garfield's tomb. Well eventually I found it.

Now James A. Garfield was president about 4 months before he was shot and being shot is what he is most famous for. It goes to show you that if you die in office, you usually get some grand tomb, especially if you died in the 19th century!

The tomb has reliefs on each side covering different aspects of President Garfield's career. Below is one of his deathbed scene.

When you enter the monument, there is an anteroom that includes a gift shop. I bought a white "Lake View Cemetery" hat there, but I think it was too late since I got some sun burn from my long walk. Then you enter the rotunda with some fancy mosaics and a statue of Garfield.

To get to the burial chamber you walk down these stairs.

The Burial Chamber 

 

President Garfield's tomb is unusual in that the coffin's of him and his wife aren't in a sarcophagus, but are placed on marble pedestals. 

The urns contain the ashes of Garfield's daughter and her husband.

I couldn't resist the urge to take a selfie of myself with President Garfield's coffin. I did consider trying to slip the docent a $20 to open the gate and let me get my picture taken right next to the coffin, but he didn't seem like the kind of guy who would go for it.

This is the first tomb I've ever been in that had a rest room. Actually two but I didn't try to sneak into the Ladies room. I think President Garfield would be disappointed that his tomb didn't have a nicer bathroom.

This is the view from the observation deck. I felt some of the tiles moving while I was up there, so I decided not to spend too much time there. Nice view of the city of Cleveland.

I had read that John D. Rockefeller, who by some estimates is the richest man who ever lived, was buried close by. I asked the man at the Garfield Tomb where Rockefeller was and he gave me a map. It was only a short walk from the Garfield Memorial.

John D.Rockefeller was known for giving out dimes to people he met in his final years. Some people left pennies on his headstone. I, not wanting to me cheap, went a step further and left a quarter there! Am I the only one who finds it odd that the man who was president for less then a year gets an over the top tomb, but the man who was a billionaire has a relatively humble grave in comparison, even though he could of easily afforded one like Garfield's? 

Well, I don't know the next time I will post a Presidential Places post. There's not many in Northwest Florida. Maybe if I get to Plains, GA and go to Jimmy Carter's Sunday School class. 

I haven't updated this blog in almost a year; So, I thought it was high time to let The World in on what The Smither has been up to.

In November I moved from Wesleyville,.PA to DeFuniak Springs, Fl. My sister and her family had moved down here in 2012 when he became pastor of Euchee Valley Presbyterian Church here. Since I was in a dead end job, and I was sick of the winters in Northwestern Pennsylvania, I decided to take the plunge. I got a job less then a week after moving down here, working for a well known discount retailer. (Not what I want to do the rest of my life, but it pays the bills for now.) I've been working there going on 5 months, and recently became a member at a Southern Baptist church.

I hope to update this more often. Until then, carry on!

Presidential Places Part III

In July 2005, My mom and I were driving back to Pennsylvania from a sojourn in Virginia. Somehow I talked her into getting off the interstate to look for Hollywood Cemetery. Hollywood is one of two places (The others being a church in Quincy, Ma and Arlington National Cemetery.) where two presidents are buried. We drove around for a bit and finally reached the c

emetery. It was a hot July day when I started walking, searching for the two presidents final resting place.

Unfortunely I started on the opposite end of the cemetery from where James Monroe and John Tyler's tombs were. I did pass by the grave of James Thomas Flexner, author of a multi volume biography of George Washington. I had read that Jefferson Davis and J.E.B. Stuart were also buried here but saw no signs of their graves. The Sun and dehydration started to effect me. I thought about giving up, but said to myself  "No, You will find them, they got to be here somewhere."  I had walked what seemed like a mile when I saw the profile of the 10th President on a big monument. I found it! 

Me at John Tyler's grave. The black birdcage like tomb is James Monroe's.
I took a picture of myself at Monroe's tomb but it won't upload. I was too tired to look for Jefferson Davis, so I walked back to the car and left.

Travels to Presidential Places Part II

The next Presidential site I'm going to talk about is Spigel Grove, the home of Rutherford B. Hayes, 19th President of the United States. Hayes is probably most famous for two things. His election in 1880 was disputed. Samuel Tilden, his Democratic opponent, got more popular votes than Hayes and Hayes won after a special commission awarded him the deciding electoral votes. This came up alot in 2000 when Al Gore won the popular vote, but George W. Bush became president because he won the electoral votes of Florida by 537 ballots cast.  The second thing you might know is Hayes' wife Lucy, got the nickname 'Lemonade Lucy' for not allowing intoxicating beverages to be consumed in The White House.

I've visited here on two occasions, both having to do with picking my sister up from college in Indiana. The first visit I didn't have enough money for the admission to the house or museum, so I just walked around the grounds. I had read about the hobby of visiting presidential graves, and I was determened to have my picture taken at Hayes' grave. Luckily for me, the fence that usually surrounded it was being repaired, so I got to stand alot closer to it than you normally get to. I look horrible in this picture so please forgive me.

I visited the museum on another trip. It was nice and even had the carriage Hayes had used.  For some reason though the exhibit I found most impressive was the one of Presidential letters, even though a few of them were obvious autopens.

I almost forgot to mention that near Hayes' tomb is the grave of his horse Old Whitey. I found that kind of cool.

Travels to Presidential Places Part I

Ever since I can remember, I've been a Presidential buff. I'm not sure how it started.  I think it was when my great uncle gave us an old set of encyclopdias from the 1960's. The 'P' volume, in it's article on Presidents of the United States, had drawings of every president from Washington to LBJ. Soon after I acquired a stamp album which has room for stickers of all the presidents up to Reagan (then the current POTUS.) It might of also helped that I spent the first few years of my life near Yorktown, Virginia; The site of George Washington's victory over the British that finally guaranteed America it's freedom.

My mom says that her and my dad took me as a baby to Monticello. She said they were asked to leave cause they were worried that I would break something.  Since I have no memory of that visit, I will start with the first one I do have memories of. Mount Vernon

Photo Courtsey Ad Meskens

I was 7 years old and my uncle was working in the Reagan administration. My mom decided to take a trip on the Amtrak to see him. My mom didn't drive or have a car at the time so I forget how we were able to get to Mount Vernon. I remember that the main thing I wanted to see there was George Washington's tomb, so I didn't take the time I should of to look around the house.  I finally got to the tomb and well it was a tomb. That hasn't stopped me in the years since from trying to visit other presidents tombs and graves, but I guess I was 7 so that could be excused.

During my childhood I made several visits to the Yorktown battlefield. Although I haven't been to the visitors center there since 1986, I would recommend you drop by. It's alot better then the 'Victory Center' which I think charges too much. When I was a kid the visitors center had George Washington's tent and bed from the time of the Revolution, plus a cool movie. Definetly drop by and only go to the 'Victory Center' if you have kids who want to take part in hands on demonstrations.

When my parents divorced, I would move to Northwestern Pennsylvania and the town or "city" of Corry. One of the few presidential sites nearby is the site of Fort LeBouf in the small town of Waterford, PA. Fort LeBouf was a French fort.  As a young man in his twenties, George Washington was sent by the Governor of Virginia, to tell the French to get out.  The French said no, but wined and dined him anyway like a James Bond villain does before he tries to kill 007. The statue pictured is said to be the only one of Washington in a British uniform, though some would argue that he is in fact wearing a Virginia militia uniform instead. Along with the statue is a small museum that is rather unimpressive, assuming of course you find it open when you are there.


In my next post, I will tell you the story of the Rutherford B. Hayes Center and the grave of 'Old Whitey'.

The Turmoil in the Middle East

The murder of the American Ambassador to Libya and his cohorts, as well as violent protests in Egypt have been blamed on the outrage over a You Tube video which  mocks the Prophet Muhammad.  As a Christian,I am offended when I hear Jesus Christ's name used in vain and when I see him mocked on South Park and other comedy shows.  However when is the last time you saw Christians take to the street to protest blashphemy over their God?  There might of been a couple of instances in 1988 when The Last Temptation of Christ was released but besides that I can not think of any others.  Does Islam want to be known as a religion that is only feared but not respected?  Governments may urge the videos to be taken down and web sites may comply  but this is because of the violence, not because of the principles of Islam or  the greatness of Muhammad.  Otherwise why aren't artworks such as 'Piss Christ' which is a picture of a crucifix submerged in urine banned? Just a thought....

Musing of a Taco Bell cashier

I am have been working at a Taco Bell as a cashier for the last year. Before this I worked in as an operator/Customer Service rep for various companies. I got laid off at the end of 2008 and searched for a year and a half for another job until I found this one. It took some getting used to, being on my feet up to 8 hours a day and the pay is quite a bit less then a call center pays but I like my job. I have a great boss and don't dread coming to work everyday like I did working customer service. I have observed some things in my year of waiting on customers that I wanted to share.

• Old people like to use change alot more then young people.
• Women are more apt to complain about things then men are.
• Some people you can't make happy, no matter how hard you try.

Do I want to do this for the rest of my life? No, but if I was getting paid $10 an hour I could live with it!

The Second Unpardonable Sin.

If you were to ask most Baptists how many unpardonable sins there were, they would say one. The Blasphemy of The Holy Spirit. But in reality for most Baptists there are two. The second being divorced. If someone feels called to be a pastor or any paid position in the Baptist hierarchy and they've been divorced, regardless of the circumstances they are eliminated from consideration because of their interpretation of such verses as I Timothy 3:2 which states that a bishop should be the 'husband of one wife'. Never mind that the Greek means 'one woman man.' Example, Bill Clinton has only been married once but even the most devout Democrat wouldn't call him a one woman man. Yet, he'd have a better chance of being called as the pastor of a Baptist church then a man who was faithful to his wife but for non biblical reasons, decided to divorce him.

I went through a situation like this. I surrendered to preach the gospel in 2003 at a conference in Hammond, Indiana. The following year I enrolled at Hyles-Anderson College, the bible college run by the church that put on this conference. I left because I felt I wasn't learning any bible. I ended up marrying a graduate of said college in 2006. Less then a year later she filed for divorce. I tried everything I could think of to reconcile with her but nothing worked. Since then I have been greatly frustrated. I still feel called to preach but the Baptist churches I go to prohibit divorced men from pastoring. It had depressed me so much that I've attended Presbyterian and Full Gospel churches where I felt more accepted but whose theology I had trouble with. It seems like I can either stay in a Baptist church where I feel at home, but where I feel like I'll have a scarlet 'D' on my chest for the rest of my life, or I can try another church where I'm accepted but where I don't feel comfortable, either with their worship or their theology.

I am sure there are others out there who have been through simlar circumstances. If you have feel free to post them in the comments.

Bible Post #3 The Ryrie Study Bible KJV

I bought my first Ryrie Study Bible in August of 1997. I had liked how it answered a theological question I had been dealing with. It soon became my favorite study bible; I would take it everywhere and used it so much that by the time I replaced it, the bonded leather was peeling off. I especially liked the nice large typeface on it. Even when I didn't need to reference the notes I liked reading it for that reason alone.  It also has a nice set of cross references, a topical index, and much more.

In 2005 I replaced My burgundy bonded leather Ryrie with a black genuine leather one. I used that one regularly until I moved back to Pennsylvania from Louisiana and the moved again and it got lost in the moving. I still believe I have it somewhere so instead of spending the big bucks for another genuine leather edition, I bought another bonded leather one.  I figured by the time the leather started pealing off, I would of found my genuine leather one.  Well, I've had the bonded leather one for close to a year and still haven't found the real leather one.

I almost forgot to mention that the bible includes a DVD with the Ryrie study notes and several other works by the good doctor including Basic Theology. It also includes the NIV and NASB (1977 and 1995 editions) on a trial basis along with several of John MacArthur's commentaries. The software is Bible Explorer which is scaled down version of Wordsearch. There are also several free (mostly public domain) titles that you can download from their web site, in addition to the ones included on the disc. I wouldn't make the disc a major factor in buying this bible but it's a nice bonus.

As you can probably guess I do recommend The Ryrie. My main complaint is that while they publish it in the KJV, NASB, and NIV; they no longer publish an edition in the NKJV which has become My bible translation of choice. That being said, if you like one of the translations mentioned above and lean towards a dispensationalist point of view; then I would wholeheartedly recommend The Ryrie Study Bible.

PS The first page shows what happens when you have a nose bleed and are reading your bible!

My Bibles 1 The Classic Note Bible

I have over the past 15 years, become somewhat of a collector of bibles. I only have 3 or 4 (depending on how you count) in my collection right now but that's because I've sold, given away, or lost a good many of them.  I know I usually talk about political things on this blog but decided for a change of pace to talk about this hobby of mine. For the next few posts, I'm going to review some bibles I own.  I'm going to start with the oldest one that I regularly use. The Classic Note Bible.

I bought this bible in 2004 while I was attending Hyles-Anderson College.  It was the same type of bible that Jack Hyles used to preach from, though it had been redesigned to be smaller and easier to carry around then the one he used.  It is a plain black text KJV with one big difference;  It has a blank page beside every bible page with the exception of Genesis 1.  It is only made in Genuine Leather. The leather is kind of stiff which I am not a big fan of but it had held up well in the 5 years since I bought it.  It has two bookmarks which comes in handy if you are reading from the Old and New Testament at the same time.  Although Dr. Hyles was the co publisher of The Bible, except for his name on the front, and an introduction that talks about how this bible came about, it doesn't have any notes or commentary from him.  There is a bit of separation going on in Genesis 20 and Revelation 13.  Of course, the main reason that someone would buy this is for the blank pages, so they can write notes and sermon outlines.  I won't argue that it is good for notes, but I have found in my personal experience, that trying to preach a sermon from a two sided page isn't as good as just taking your sermon notes up to the pulpit with you.  I know Dr. Hyles wrote his outlines in his bible but maybe it was easier when the bible was bigger and thus, you had more room on the page to write on. (Though those editions are so thick, it would probably pull your back out to carry one very far.)

Do I recommend this bible? If you are someone that finds that his or her wide margin bible is still not enough to record their notes on, or you want to be able to write notes from sermons you hear then yes;  If you want to use it to preach from, then I would say no, unless you can find one of the thicker first editions on eBay.

Will Caroline run for Uncle Teddy's seat?

I just read that Caroline Kennedy is going to be one of the speakers at the AFL-CIO convention in Pittsburgh. Is this the first step in a run for her Uncle Teddy (and before him, her father's) Senate seat? You may say "Yeah, but Caroline lives in New York!" Well, Hillary Clinton was a resident of Arkansas when she began her 'listening tour' to become New York's junior senator and Caroline at least has family ties to Massachusetts. If Vicki or Joe Kennedy decide not to run, look at Caroline to.

My thoughts on Sarah Palin's resignation.

I was shocked when I heard that Governor Palin was resigning as Alaska Governor. I figured that she might not run for reelection, but didn't imagine she would do this. In the short term she is going to take a hit for this, but it is still fairly early in the game if she has her sights set on 2012. By resigning she won't have to worry about further frivolous ethics complaints that have so far, cost her half a million dollars. She'll also have the freedom to campaign across the country for Republican candidates without the 'anklebitters' whining and complaining. We haven't seen the last of Sarah Louise Heath Palin; No, not by a long shot!

Are you prepared to meet Your maker?

Last week two well known men died unexpectedly. Michael Jackson, the 'King of Pop' died just hours after dancing and singing at a dress rehearsal for his London come back. Billy Mays, the 'King of Infomercials' died in his sleep after coming back from a trip. Neither of these men had an idea that this last week would be their last week on Earth. Death doesn't always come when we are in our 70's or 80's, It doesn't always come as the result of a long illness where you have plenty of time to prepare yourself. James 4:14 says "Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." (KJV) Are you prepared to meet God if you should die today? Do you know Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord? If you want to be prepared, pray a prayer like this and mean it with all your heart.


Father, I know that I have broken your laws and my sins have separated me from you. I am truly sorry, and now I want to turn away from my past sinful life toward you. Please forgive me, and help me avoid sinning again. I believe that your son, Jesus Christ died for my sins, was resurrected from the dead, is alive, and hears my prayer. I invite Jesus to become the Lord of my life, to rule and reign in my heart from this day forward. Please send your Holy Spirit to help me obey You, and to do Your will for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.”

If you prayed that prayer, please drop me a line. My e-mail address is ces16511@gmail.com.

Liberty University Shuts Down Campus Democratic Party Club

When I read this today, A few things floated through my mind.

#1 If I were a Democrat, Why would I being going to Liberty University?

#2 There are enough Democrats at Liberty to fill a broom closet?

I think that the university made the right choice here; The National Democratic Party is anathema to the values that Liberty was founded on. I wouldn't expect Liberty to endorse meetings of SoulForce, the Gay rights organization founded by former Falwell aide Mel White. Liberty is a private institution and the students knew what they were getting into when they enrolled. If they don't like it, they can either have their meetings off campus, without using the university's name, or they can transfer to a school that shares their values.

Majority of Americans now Pro Life

I was pleasantly surprised when I visited Hot Air this morning and read that for the first time since Gallup began polling it in 1996, a majority of Americans are Pro Life. Here's the link.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/118399/More-Americans-Pro-Life-Than-Pro-Choice-First-Time.aspx